Organizers and attendees estimate nearly 2,000 people gathered in Alex R. Thomas Jr. Plaza Saturday to join with others in cities in countries around the world to give voice to an array of concerns following the election and inauguration of Donald Trump on his first day in office.

Longtime Ukiah-area political organizers said that they were unprepared but thrilled by the numbers of people who turned out for Saturday’s march, which echoed the reports of record-breaking crowds demonstrating at marches throughout the country.

Luckily for the Ukiah press, resident Peter Barrett, husband of Pastor Judy Shook, was able to confirm the numbers of marchers for the UDJ.

“When the march began, I hustled up to near the front of the line,” says Barrett. “I missed probably the first 100 marchers. I stood in one spot, right near Mama’s Café and filmed the rest of the march to the last person.”

Barrett decided to try and estimate the number of marchers. “As I was filming, I watched the timer as the video played on my phone for 30 seconds, counting marchers for those 30 seconds. I did it several times, and got between 40 to 60 marchers each time I did it.

When I filmed the last marcher, the length of my video was 18 minutes, 19 seconds. With an average rate of 50 marchers per 30 seconds, or 100 per minute, multiplied by 18 minutes, that’s about 1,800 marchers, plus the 100 at the front that I missed,” he explains.

Men, women, families and seniors braved the rain, which abated long enough for the marchers to listen to speeches in the Plaza and march to the courthouse. Hundreds of people responded to former President Obama’s now-familiar “Fired Up! Ready to Go!” chant, and though the mood was upbeat and positive, the concerns voiced by demonstrators were anything but.

Supportive motorists stopped at the light on State Street, blaring their horns continuously. For many people, this was their first demonstration.

“I’m a late bloomer,” said one anonymous marcher. “I’ve been in situations where I lost my power. I’m here to protest the suppression of women in general. I’m getting more involved from here on,” she notes.

“My issue is Planned Parenthood. I donate to them every year. This year I donated in the name of Mike Pence,” says Adel Clark. “Kids are young enough they might not remember the time when women had no choice – they can’t imagine not having a choice. Marches like this are the silver lining. We can’t sit back and let this stuff happen,” she concludes.

“We serve 3,000 patients in Mendocino County, providing preventative health care, birth control, cancer screening, pregnancy and STD testing and abortions – for all people. People don’t come to us to make political statements. They come for affordable health care,” she told a cheering audience.

Because the incoming administration had vowed to defund Planned Parenthood, Schultz addressed this issue. “We are at a 30-year low for unintended pregnancies. Teenaged pregnancies are down. The health and well-being of our patients is on the line, but this is not the first time we’ve faced adversity. Our motto is, ‘These doors stay open,’” Shultz shouted, to thunderous applause. “We have been overwhelmed by the support and strength from this community,” she concluded.

“I am so glad we can protest with four generations of my family,” says Mauri Fox, who was at the march with her 98-year-old mother, Sylvia, her children and her grandchildren. “Even George Bush had to put a bag over his head yesterday,” smiles Mauri’s husband, Ed Fox.

Like other communities, demonstrators made their voices heard by creating signs of all kinds. “My Body, My Choice” was a popular theme, harkening back to the landmark Roe V. Wade decision. Other signs carried by marchers included “Respect Freedom of the Press,” “If Trump Divides, We Multiply,” “Dispense Pence” and “Make Love, Not Wall,” carried by 16-year-old Gracianne Kirsch.

“So many people are being suppressed,” said Kirsch. “I felt like being here helps us to build community.”

“I’ve had a lot of feelings since the election,” says Putman. “Having a sexist president feels unjust. Even in our small town, I wanted to support Planned Parenthood not getting their funding cut,” she concludes.

“I’m waiting for the ‘Soylent Green’ trucks,” says Vicki Sparkman. “I’m on disability and Medicare. They’re going to take that all away from us old people. I’m afraid for our kids – for the crazy man in Washington, in Putin’s pocket,” she notes.

“We organized this demonstration because there was a cry from the public to have a march in Ukiah,” explains Tamar Kaye of the Inland Democratic Club. “Democracy is a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ proposition. We need to organize to save the hard-fought rights that we have enjoyed for generations. What gets my ire up is that when the bully wins, it appears to justify more violence and disrespect. If we institutionalize disrespect for women, we go into a dark place in our nation. Historically, women were bloodied to secure our vote. We are standing in the street to remind people that we have to love each other,” she concludes.

“Trump said in front of thousands of people that Mexicans are bad people who are taking our jobs,” said Nevaeh Travis, 14. “Right there, that’s a bad idea to be putting out to young people, especially in California, where there are a lot of Latinos and mixed race people. I think sending that message out is really wrong. I think everyone is equal, no matter what skin color you are. If you believe in something and Trump disagrees, it’s not hurting anyone else. It’s OK to disagree,” says Travis.

Travis participated in the Ukiah High School student march following the election of President Trump. “After the march, adults posted on Facebook. They said that it was ‘disgusting’ that we were doing this. They said we were ‘Stupid little infants’ and ‘Amateurs go home.’ They said all these hateful things. A lot of the people at the march did know what they were talking about. They are almost adults. It was immature of the adults to be speaking that way on social media. They’re telling us we’re the immature ones, when really it was them,” she concludes.

Harvey Baumoel attended the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr., and was glad to see the robust turnout at Saturday’s march. “I believe we should lead with love. We’re all black. We’re all Mexican. We’re all Gay, Lesbian and Transgender. We’re all Native American and we’re all Muslims,” he notes.

Native American elder Priscilla Hunter addressed the crowd.

“There are 10 tribes in Mendocino County. For us, this is nothing new. Our ancestors stood on this ground while we were being raped and killed by our government. Now, we know our rights. We know how to fight. With all of us together, we will be great.”

Hunter said a prayer, infused with humor. “Creator, give us wisdom and strength. Reach down and touch Trump’s heart –maybe his wife’s. Ask her, ‘hey lady, what’s wrong with your husband?’” said Hunter, to hearty laughs.

Marita McDonough and her daughter Kirsten Johnson held signs painted with an image of a Sheela Na Gig – an ancient portrayal of women from Ireland and Great Britain, known for their depictions of exaggerated vulva.

“What else is there for a mother and daughter to say?” said Johnson. “We are so energized. We want to remind people to remember where we come from,” smiles McDonough.

“I appreciate people who are not exactly like me,” says Sheila Rogers. “I appreciate the cultural and ethnic diversity of all the people who have enriched my life.”

Tom Schoneman looked back at history.

“Donald Trump’s rhetoric is akin to 1930s Germany. Watch the propaganda films of Joseph Goebbels. Hitler had the Jews. Trump has Muslims. Fortunately, power brokers underestimate the power of the people.”

“We are here to support all people on this planet, and the health of this planet,” says John Beatty.

Heralding Chinese New Year, which takes place next week, one tongue-in-cheek sign, painted with a strutting rooster, seemed to sum up the feeling of the crowd: “2017- Year of the Cock.”

Another sign, held by a young person, spoke to the fears and the hopes of the demonstrators: “Make Empathy Great Again.”

“President Trump,” quipped one young man, “Welcome to your first day in office.”